antiphrasis

noun

an·​tiph·​ra·​sis an-ˈti-frə-səs 

plural antiphrases an-ˈti-frə-ˌsēz 

: the usually ironic or humorous use of words in senses opposite to the generally accepted meanings (as in "this giant of 3 feet 4 inches")

Examples of antiphrasis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And sometimes a name employs what the Greeks called antiphrasis. —Washington Post, 17 Nov. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Greek, from anti- + phrasis diction — more at phrase

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined above